Yuri and the Ghost Ship Part Four
Still, it wasn't his concern right now. He really needed to get some sleep. He scoured the captain's cabin for any kind of bed, but found nothing of the sort. Not even anything soft he could lay his head on. He finally settled on a couple of books from the shelf to elevate his head and he lay on his side staring at the bookcase. Now that he was a lying down he didn't feel tired. No, his mind focused too much on the noises he was hearing to really sleep.
The ship was still creaking, but he could almost hear whispers. It was like he wasn't alone at all, yet he knew he was. There hadn't been another living soul on this ship that he had seen, monster, human, or otherwise. Or maybe he couldn't sleep because his mouth was so dry. Eventually, he was going to have to find some drinkable water. He doubted he would though, as old as this ship appeared to be. He might have to find a way to purify the ocean water.
It was with these thoughts that he sank into another uneasy sleep.
This time, Yuri woke up with confusion. It took him a moment to remember he was still on a ship when he had been dreaming about being at home in Zaphias. He sat up and sighed, now more thirsty than ever. Then he noticed a canteen sitting next to the pile of books he used as a pillow. He stared at it for several minutes. Where did that come from? It wasn't there when he went to sleep, was it? He tried to remember but it was thoughts of the innkeeper slapping her ladle against the table at Flynn for ruining her pancakes by staring at them.
He finally reached out for the canteen and wrapped hesitant fingers around it. He lifted it and paused. Would there be water sloshing around if he shook it? Doubt nagged at him, and his hand was still. Finally he tilted the canteen and a jolt of excitement gripped him when he heard it. There was definitely water in that canteen, but it wouldn't be there for long.
Yuri drained it in two major swallows and sighed that there wasn't more than that. He tossed the canteen aside. The water definitely hit the spot and never tasted any better. Energized, he stood to full height and saw the room in a whole new light. It didn't look so gloomy and scary. It was actually almost inviting. He wandered the cabin, running his fingers through the dust on everything. More crates were piled in the corner and one of them caught his eye. It was broken and something had seeped out of it. He bent for a closer look and reached to scoop some up in his hands.
"Don't!"
It was a faint whisper, but that was enough. Yuri stood and turned around in circles searching for the woman who said it. There was still no one there.
A/N: Half-way there. I'm breaking it up like this because it was a 500 challenge entry. I wrote it over 8 days, apparently. :)